English

With the increase in the demand for the language, everyone is looking for opportunities to become better at the English. In order to ace the language and become comfortable in it, one needs to be good at writing, speaking, grammar, pronunciation and have a strong vocabulary. Even though there are various places to learn English, the best place to start is a high-quality textbook.

Gather Information Regarding Basic English Skills and become proficient in the language and speak fluently with confidence. Try the Tips over here and Improve your English Writing and Speaking Skills.

Best Books to Improve English Speaking Skills

Here we have listed books that you can refer to which will help you in improving your grip over the language, English.

Grammar References Books – Rules are Mentioned.

• Longman’s Student – Grammar of Spoken and Written English 

This book will be one of the best guides for you if you are looking forward to learning how English is used on a daily basis. There are very few attempts in the English language teaching world that helps in connecting spoken and written language together. This book explores ‘grammar and vocabulary together’ which is one of the best ways to learn English.

Why we recommend it: 

• The book has a modern approach to learning English.
• They have a constructive syllabus covering important areas like sentence structures and types of phases.
• The book has been based on 3000 most used words in English.

• Practical English Usage by Michael Swan 

This book has been the go-to English grammar book for many throughout years for many. The book is a guide to English grammar rules as well as a practical guide to English speaking. This book will be highly beneficial if you are willing to understand how the language works.

Why we recommend it:

• Chapters in this book are based on spoken grammar and world English.
• The book has a large part covering vocabulary – which can sometimes be confusing – with numerous examples.
• It has been written in simple language which will make it easier to understand.

• A – Z of English Grammar and Usage 

This book is extremely practical and deals with the subject in a concrete manner. Often grammar references can be monotonous. However, with this book, the process of learning the language will be enjoyable. English teachers use this book to explain grammar in simple terms – it serves excellent help.

Why we recommend it: 

• The book has been organised around words and not abstract grammar system.
• The book concentrates on how the language is used.
• The book deals with practical chapters like letter writing and confusing vocabulary.

Grammar Books that contain Exercises – Elementary Level

• English Grammar Azar 

Betty Azar, the writer of the book, has a more communicative, intuitive approach towards grammar learning. This book has a step by step approach, taking you from one reflexive exercise to another. Some people have been able to learn English grammar from scratch with the help of this book. This book is the learning style for those who can learn better through doing.

Why is this book beneficial: 

• The book has included all the skills of the language – including speaking and learning.
• The book contains a lot of reflective and interactive exercises – not just a rule-remember-practice.

• Wren & Martin 

This book is widely used in schools, and it has a simple approach to the language. The book consists of exercises on almost all topics of English and is highly beneficial for grammar. The book has been used for decades by not only children but also adults who are willing to learn English grammar. You will not need the guidance of any teacher to learn for this book.

Why is this book beneficial: 

• This book consists of exercises that cover all areas of English grammar.
• The book has a decent and straightforward approach which makes the process of learning easier.
• The book has a comfortable and compact approach which makes it suitable for self-study.

• Oxford Course Book: Basic 

The book has been written by Michael Swan, one of the best British grammarians. The book is a collection of practical exercises. It teaches you all the essential structures using real-life examples. The book has three levels: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced.

This book is the upgraded version of the long-loved ‘How English Works’. It uses humour in its texts for exercises and logic structures.

Why is this book beneficial: 

• The book has practical activities based on real life.
• The book has a clear structure, and it can be used for self-study.
• It has a simple approach to the language and can be easily approached by all.
• It guides are in-depth and are suitable for systematic studies.

Grammar Books that contain Exercises – Intermediate Level

• English Grammar in Use 

This book by Raymond Murphy is popular among the ones who are looking forward to merely learning the language. It has a systematic and easy to follow approach. However, often people who are looking for a book to learn about the core of the language and this book might not have the right approach for that.

This book gives a well-structured understanding of English grammar and has a lot of exercises to practise from.

Why we recommend it: 

• The book has many versions that have been translated into many languages.
• The book is the world’s main grammar best-seller.
• It has an evident structure – increasing difficulty level step by step.

• Natural Grammar 

The book Natural Grammar by Scott Thornbury is a favourite of many teachers. The book has an approach to exploring the most frequent structures and word combinations. It does not focus on learning abstract rules of grammar.

This book has been written to truly teach how to use English, and not just learning about English. Each chapter has a detailed description of how to use top words in English in an everyday context. The book also has made the process of understanding easier by using examples, idioms, set, phrasal verbs, expressions and numerous examples.

Why we recommend it: 

• The book has a real-life approach to learning English and not any abstract concepts.
• The structure is very clear – students can learn from it even without the guidance from any teachers.
• The book teaches how to use the top 200 words in English, which is a well-directed effort.

Grammar Books that contain Exercises – Advanced Level

• Longman Advanced Learner’s Grammar 

This book is for those who have been learning English for a while and are looking to go a step forward with complex structures like verb patterns, conditionals and so on. The book is not too long, and it gives a clear idea about everything in a short time.

This book is also recommended to those preparing for English examinations.

Apart from this book, especially being written for exams, this book will also help in completing the gaps and creating a clear concept of the grammar system.

Why is this book beneficial: 

• The book has handy grammar tables for the things that one needs to remember – there is no need for note-taking.
• The book is compact and yet consists of everything you will need to have an understanding of advanced English grammar.
• Apart from the main exercises in each chapter, they have unique Diagnostic Tests before the starting of each chapter.

• Grammar Scan (Upper-intermediate, Advanced, Expert) 

This book will be beneficial for those who are looking forward to checking their knowledge of English grammar in depth. The book is a collection of diagnostic tests on three levels. These tests include all aspects of grammar – including spelling, vocabulary and spoken English.

You can go to the corresponding chapter in Practical English Usage if you make a mistake in the diagnostic tests to learn more. This book is excellent for exam preparation and self-study.

Why we recommend it: 

• This book has an online version available which makes it easier for those who don’t want to buy the book.
• The book has excellent real-life examples of English usage, which makes the process of learning more practical.
• This book is suitable for self-study – you don’t need a teacher or any long course.
• This book enables you to have control over your grammar.

Grammar books for preparation of competitive exams

• Word Power Made Easy

If you are someone who has very poor to basic vocabulary, then this book can be beneficial for you. This book will help you to improve it. It lays the foundation stone of basic vocabulary, starting from the root words and going up to the advanced level of words. This book can be highly beneficial for aspirants preparing for exams like MAT, CAT, XAT, GATE and banking.

The book has been categorised into three sections. It deals with areas like improving vocabulary as well as knowing the correct usage of words. This book is also beneficial in providing a better command on spellings and pronunciation. The book gives a detailed explanation of the usage of words with the most confusing words. The book has an exercise at the end, which will help you in reviewing your preparation.

Why we recommend it: 

• The book is highly beneficial in improving vocabulary.
• It has review exercises at the end of the book which helps in analysing the preparation of one.
• The book has included trivia in between to break the monotony.
• The book uses etymology to help in building knowledge of related words.

• High School English Grammar and Composition Book

This book is top-rated among aspirants of competitive exams. The book deals with the basic concepts of grammar, which makes it easier for students to have a better understanding of it. This book is especially recommended for aspirants who are preparing for RRB, UPSC, Bank PO and other competitive examinations.

Along with the grammar section, this book also consists of comprehensions, sentence building, correct usage of words, composition, and many other important parts of English. The only set back of the book is that the solutions of the exercises are not provided in the book or any online portal.

Why we recommend it: 

• This book is excellent for beginners – it covers grammar and also has exercises to solve that test the writing ability of one.
• The book has a multicolour edition available which increases the user experience.
• The book has provided separate writing space for making notes and points.

• Applied English Grammar and Composition

This book, by Madam Mohan Sharma, is one of the most useful books that help aspirants who are preparing for competitive examinations. This book can be the perfect choice for you to shape your career in the right direction.

The book has been divided into forty-nine chapter which includes – spotting of errors, word power, spelling rules, antonyms, synonyms, homonyms, writing a section, idioms and phrases etc.

Why we recommend it:

• The book covers all aspects of English grammar and has a straightforward yet detailed explanation.
• It gives tips and tricks that will help to solve various types of questions.
• The books are reviewed, revised and updated almost every year to match the examination level.

• Advanced English Grammar 

This book has been authored by Martin Hewings and published by Cambridge University. This book is widely used for competitive examinations and is best suited for an advanced level of learners. The book is for aspirants preparing for SSC, RRB, GATE, CAT and Banking.

This book is a blend between the grammar section and practice exercises. The book gives a detailed explanation of the concepts with a number of useful examples with it. This book has been outlined in such a manner that one can pick any of the units to get started. There are practice exercises at the end of the book with detailed solutions.

Why we recommend it: 

• This book is recommended for advanced level of students
• The book has examples for a better understanding of the concepts.
• The book has practise exercises which are given after the completion of every unit, as well as at the end of the book.
• Solution for every practise exercise has been provided.

“Do you need to think about something?” Then start to think in English, and not in your native language!

Studies have revealed that thinking about anything in a foreign language allows you to execute your choices more reliably. Not only thinking in English can be an advantage in better decision making, but it can also help in learning the language faster. If you’re “articulating” English in your mind, it becomes simpler to speak it with your mouth.

When we speak, our speech might get slower. This happens because our mind is still translating from our native language, which can also sound synthetic. But this can change if we start thinking in English, which is a step closer to fluency. It is not very challenging, but it does take conscious practice and effort.

Gather Information Regarding Basic English Skills and become proficient in the language and speak fluently with confidence. Try the Tips over here and Improve your English Writing and Speaking Skills.

Importance of English

English is one of the most influential languages on the planet, which has its impression on every phase of life. It is very easy to notice just how essential English is around the world. Many global businesses conduct conferences in English, and most universities teach courses in English and, also, travelers and tourists use English as a standard language around the world. Here are some pointers describing why English is Important.

• It is believed that English is understood or spoken by 1 to 1.6 billion people. English is an authoritative business language, and it has become almost an obligation for people to speak English if they are to join a global workforce. Researchers from all across the globe reveal that cross-border business communication is mostly directed in English.
• English has a protracted and fascinating history that traverses invasions, wars, and leadership from around the globe. Education that has helped develop modern English include Vikings, Romans and the French. For this reason, it’s a hybrid language composed of Germanic, Latin and Romance factors.
• One of English’s greatest assets is its versatility: you can frequently find various ways to describe the same as it has a spectrum of vocabulary. It is assumed to have well above 750,000 words and is adding new ones every year.
• Most of the contents created on the internet are in English, and therefore English is also known as the language of the internet. So knowing English will help you access a large amount of information which might not be available quickly.
• English as a language is significantly malleable. Nonnative speakers account the varied ways of speaking the language. One main reason for this is the nondiscriminating nature of the language. One can use the language in their own manner. For example, Singapore has invented its own unique way of speaking English, called as ‘Singlish’, incorporating facets of mandarin and Malay.

The Importance of Thinking in English

In the beginning, we all transcribe a thought or a sentence in our native language and then translate it to English; this is because our mind needs to understand the words and then speak. But if we analyse the sentence in English first, then we don’t have to translate it, which later will help us become more fluent in English.

Thinking in our native language and then interpreting it in the English language pauses our conversation. If we begin to think in English, we will sound notably fluent and natural. Another considerable advantage of thinking in English is lots of practice in English. Thinking is nothing but speaking to yourself silently. To sum, if we can think in English alternately of our native language, we will not only get loads of additional practice but also reduce uncomfortable intervals while speaking.

When we start thinking in English, it helps us internalise the language. This means we will learn the language so well that we no longer need to think before we speak. Internalising English means we don’t require to retain the precepts and pronunciations every time we speak. Native English speakers don’t think why or what they speak is accurate because they’ve internalised the English language. One should not worry about saying things correctly or being understood by others. They can make mistakes in pronunciation and still learn and understand!

Additionally, thinking in English is a fantastic way to build your vocabulary with words. It’s essential to know many words, but it’s even more important to understand words that we apply in everyday conversations.

Steps to Think in English

• Start with Single words: Commence by thinking in single words. One might not be capable of making essential decisions in English, but you can observe your surroundings in English by recalling the names of things that you notice or activities that you do. At the beginning, one might find it hard to retrieve in English, but if we continue to work on it, then over a span of time, it will progressively reduce, and one will be on track to think in English like we do in our native language.

• Train your brain to think in English: The fundamental purpose of training our brain is practising to think in English because behind these exercises is the agility in thinking without worrying for accuracy. One needs to aim for completing these exercises.  In the beginning, one might take ponderously long pauses and even make mistakes. But the good part is no one notices as we will be speaking or thinking to ourselves. Practices can be like words or sentences one can think in a minute.

• Be Creative: We always observe that there are infinite ways to express things. Even if you don’t understand a word, we can perceive our idea beyond by considering the words creatively and using different words. For instance, if we’re trying to describe to someone that “I lost my key”, but can’t retrieve the word “key,” we can rather say to them that “I can’t open my door because it’s locked or “I lost the thing that opens the door.” Both these sentences don’t apply the word “key,” but both are fair enough to be understood. This can be a great habit if we have an actual discussion and can’t revive a word. To sharpen these skills in creative speaking, one can try playing some fun games with friends or a speaking partner.

• Start Narrating: Narration is the use of a verbal or written explanation to communicate a story to an audience. In novels, the narrator is the character without dialogue, who describes what is happening in the story. In the same way, we can pretend to be the narrator in our own life. We can narrate our own day to day experience in our own voice or impersonate someone else describing our life in English. This will benefit us in practising by using commonly used terms, as well as speaking in complete, correct sentences.

Conclusions

One can certainly stop thinking in their native language and think undeviatingly in English, but it’s easier said than done. We often fall back to thinking in our native language, and the change won’t be as agile as we would like. The given ideas are to show discipline in our practice over the long term, keeping in mind a few fundamentals that will benefit us to become efficient learners of the English Language and overcome frustrating times in our learning.

The International Mathematical Olympiad is acclaimed to be one of the oldest of the International Science Olympiads. It is conducted for pre-college or high school students. It was first started in Romania in the year 1959. It has been an annual event since then. Only the year 1980 did not witness an IMO taking place. There are about 100 countries and more who participate in the Olympiad every year.

Gather Information Regarding Basic English Skills and become proficient in the language and speak fluently with confidence. Try the Tips over here and Improve your English Writing and Speaking Skills.

Content Of The Olympiad

Each country usually sends a team of six students along with a team leader, a deputy leader and the observers. The content of the Olympiad tests ranges from simple to comparatively complex mathematical problems. The questions come from standard mathematics as well as unconventional concepts of maths that are usually not taught in the school curriculum.

Format Of The Olympiad

The test consists of overall six problems. Participants have to solve two problems each day and the time given is four and a half hours every day. The questions are numbered from one to six, and participants are given to solve three questions each day.

Problem one to three are attempted on the first day, and four to six are attempted on the second day. Each problem is more difficult than its precursor. So, Problem number three and six are the toughest in the lot. Each question contains seven points. Hence, the total points in the test are 42.

Selection Process

Each country has its individual selection processes. Though they differ from nation to nation, the format of the selection process is quite similar. Especially in countries of East Asia, the students have to sit for several examinations and at each level the difficulty increases.

With the increase of difficulty, less and fewer students go through to the next level. China even holds camps for its students to get training and gain expertise in its approach. In the US, several stand-alone tests are organised for ultimately selecting the students for the International Mathematical Olympiad.

Awards

Though the countries participate in a team of six, the team score is not considered to be the basis of awards. The individual scores are the ones that get counted, and that matter. The number of golds, silver and bronze medals differ from year to year.

2020 IMO

Participants received gold medals if they scored equal to or more than thirty-one points. A total of forty-nine gold medals were presented in the Olympiad. The silver medal comes next as an achievement.

A total of one hundred and twelve silver medals were presented to students who scored equal to or more than twenty-four but less than thirty-one points. The next in line are the bronze medals which were presented to about one hundred and fifty-five participants.

The bronze medal was presented to those who scored equal to or more than fifteen points. Besides, these three standard achievements, the International Mathematical Olympiad also presents the participants with honourable mentions. The 2020 IMO presented one hundred and seventy-three notable mentions.

China, as a whole country, participated for the first time in 1985. However, they gained the first rank in their maiden attempt. It is also the country which has ranked first for the greatest number of times. China has also achieved the highest team score twenty-one times in the Olympiad.

It also tops the list of rank-holders who have achieved an all-gold medal rank. China has been recorded as a team with all-gold medals for twelve times. Russia holds the second position with the highest team score sixteen times.

The list is followed by the United States who have achieved the highest score eight times in total. The United States also holds a four-time achievement of all-gold member IMO with a full member.

India’s achievement- India, on the other hand, has never achieved the first rank in IMO. They performed well in1997 and 2001 and had their best finish in the seventh position. India also ranked ninth in 2002.

The best individual participants in IMO

Among the most decorated individual participants, Zhuo Qun Song from Canada who participated six times within the time frame of 2010 2015, achieved five gold medals and a bronze medal. Teodore Von Burg from Serbia bagged four gold medals, one silver and bronze each.

Best individual participants from India

Akashnil Dutta who participated from2009 to 2011 bagged gold and two silvers. He is the best performer from India. He is followed by Nikhil Ashok Savale, who within his three years of participation, won one gold and silver each.

The Knockout

A Romanian participant named Ciprian Manolescu participated in the International Mathematical Olympiad thrice and stunned the world with a perfect score of forty-two points each time. Since 1959, Ciprian was the only participant to have achieved this title of a three-time perfect scorer.

There are also twenty-four participants so far who have scored a perfect score twice.

However, in comparison to the rest of the world, India had her best performer Akashnil Dutta score twenty-four, twenty-two and twenty-eight in his three attempts on 2009, 2010, 2011 respectively. No one other than him from India has been able to achieve this rate of performance yet.

Comparison with the US

The US left everyone stunned in 1994 when all the six participants in its team scored a perfect forty-two. India that year score one hundred and sixty-eight out if two hundred and fifty-two. However, the best performance of India was in the year 1991 when they scored one hundred and eighty-six out of two hundred and fifty-two.

Other Interesting Facts About India in IMO

Id the first participation is only taken into consideration, then the top three performances of India since 1989 would be Nikhil Ashok Savale, Rina Panigrahy and Abhay Kumar Jha. However, it can be noted that the performance analysis is not done on the score but the percentile of their performance.

Out of seventy-two attempts, no Indian participant has ever scored a full seven-point in problem number three since the year 2005. However, one Indian named Deepesh Singhal scored a full seven in problem number six in the year 2016.

However, no Indian participant has ever scored a full seven in both problem number three as well as six in the same test.

Overall Achievement Of India

India participated for the first time in IMO in the year 1989. It has bagged twelve gold medals, seventy silver medals, sixty-nine medals bronze medals and twenty-eight honourable mentions till date. India also hosted the IMO in 1996 in Mumbai.

In this article, we have mentioned conversations between a doctor, patient and attendant based on multiple scenarios. Patients can suffer from multiple types of conditions, like stomach ache, infection, cancer, etc. Effective communication is essential to get your point through correctly to the examiner. Therefore, this article is aimed to resolve any complicated treatment conversations between a doctor and a patient.

Gather Information Regarding Basic English Skills and become proficient in the language and speak fluently with confidence. Try the Tips over here and Improve your English Writing and Speaking Skills.

Simple Conversations Between Doctor and Patient

1. Conversation between a doctor and a patient about an eye infection

Patient: Good morning, doctor.

Doctor: Good morning, what brings you here today?

Patient: I am having trouble with my eyes. They have been itchy, sore and watery since last night. I think they are a little bit swollen too.

Doctor: Let me take a look. Your eyes are indeed swollen and red too. Did you scratch them?

Patient: I did scratch them because they were itchy.

Doctor: You should never scratch your eyes with your hands, as it is possible that you might transfer germs to your eyes. Whenever you feel itchy or sore, always wash them with cold water.

Patient: I did wash them with water and also put some saline eye drops, but all of that was in vain. The itch won’t go away. It has even started to pain.

Doctor: This looks like an eye infection. Many people are having it owning to the weather change. I’ll put some eye drops for now and will also prescribe the eye drops for later use.

Patient: Please give me something that will give me instant relief. I wasn’t able to sleep last night because of the pain.

Doctor: Here, open your eyes so I can put the drops. Remember, do not scratch your eye with your hands or any cloth. Use this drops at least four to five times a day and keep washing your eyes with cold water. If you do not get any relief, visit me in the evening.

Patient: Thank you, doctor. Hopefully, I will not have to revisit you!

2. Conversation between a doctor and a patient about sudden chest pain

Doctor: Hello, what seems to be the problem?

Patient: I have chest pain.

Doctor: How did the pain begin? What were you doing?

Patient: I was resting, and suddenly felt a stinging sensation around my chest region.

Doctor: Did you workout before? Almost half of the ischemic conditions occur after physical activity, emotional stress, or after consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Patient: No doctor, I did not work out or consume any alcoholic beverage.

Doctor: Have you previously ever had the same sort of pain?

Patient: No, I have not.

Doctor: Can you please describe the pain and how long has it been bothering you?

Patient: My chest feels constricted as if I am drowning. It has been approximately 30 minutes since I felt the pain. Sometimes it is a stabbing pain, other times it subsides, and begins anew.

Doctor: Tell me, exactly where it hurts?

Patient: It’s on my sternum, then it expands on both sides of my chest mostly on the left side.

Doctor: Have you used any medication?

Patient: Nitro-glycerine, but I don’t think it had any effect.

Doctor: Do you have any other problems? You appear very pale to me right now.

Patient: I have a hard time catching my breath sometimes, feels like I am choking.

Doctor: I will prescribe you some medicines for temporary relief, but I recommend you to get an ECG done, and visit me immediately.

Patient: Thank you, doctor, I will soon visit you with my ECG reports.

3. Conversation between a doctor and the patient after surgery

Doctor: Hello, welcome back. I did not think I would need to see you again.

Patient: Yes, doctor, me neither.

Doctor: Tell me, how are you feeling after the surgery?

Patient: I feel terrible, my entire body is aching, and I can’t stop shivering. My vision is blurry, my mouth is dry, and I feel fragile and dizzy when I get out of the bed.

Doctor: That is to be expected after a severe operation.

Patient: I know, but I get so warm that I feel like I am burning up, and recently my body feels itchy.

Doctor: You have a fever or maybe an infection, describe exactly where you are aching the most.

Patient: I think my back and legs hurt the most, they are throbbing, and I think they are also swollen.

Doctor: Okay, I am going to check your temperature and your pulse. You may need an antibiotic if you have an infection.

Patient: Can you give me something for the pain, my whole body is sore, and my head is aching too.

(the doctor places a thermometer under the patient’s tongue and waits for the result)

Doctor: Your temperature seems fine, so you don’t have any fever. I will prescribe you some pain killers, for now, but I think this is just a post-surgery pain.

Patient: Thank you. I hope the pain goes away fast.

4. Conversation between a doctor and a patient about severe stomach pain

Patient: Good evening, doctor.

Doctor: Good evening. Please sit down.

Patient: I’ve got a stomach ache, doctor.

Doctor: I see, what do you feel?

Patient: I have got sharp pain and heartburn.

Doctor: How long have you had this pain and acidity?

Patient: For two days now. It does not go away! I eat, and after every meal, my stomach hurts. At night the pain seems to double up.

Doctor: Is the pain continuous, or does it come and go occasionally?

Patient: It comes and goes. It hurts me the most after every meal. Other times, the pain isn’t that severe.

Doctor: Is there any kind of food that affects you?

Patient: Greasy ones and food which has got coconut milk in it.

Doctor: Okay, and wherein the abdomen does it hurt? Please point it out. Does the pain travel to your chest or shoulder?

Patient: It hurts in the middle. Sometimes, the pain travels across my abdomen.

Doctor: You said you have heartburn besides the pain too, right?

Patient: Yes, doctor. After a burp, I feel a kind of sour taste.

Doctor: Have you notice any change in the consistency of your bowel movement? By any chance, have you noticed blood or a colour change?

Patient: It is a bit softer and slightly greenish. I did not see any blood in my bowel movement.

Doctor: Alright. I will examine your faeces to check if there is any kind of parasite. I would also like to examine your upper gastrointestinal system through x-rays and contrast.

(Doctor calls for support staff and lets him know about the X-ray that needs to be done)

Doctor: It is effortless. You will have to drink a thick substance, and the radiologist will see how you digest the substance. They will see the movement of your stomach. I have let the staff know about your X-Ray. Please follow him. Do you have any questions before that?

Patient: With so many medical tests, I was wondering if I have an ulcer.

Doctor: We need to think of that too. That is why I want that test. An x-ray of the upper intestine sometimes cannot detect an ulcer or other irritation. If the pain persists after some antibiotics, you will need an endoscopy. Any other questions?

Patient: No, doctor, thank you very much.

Doctor: Good. Get your x-ray done immediately since we have a vacancy now, and visit me as soon as you get your reports. Goodbye.

Patient: Goodbye, doctor. I will see you soon.

5. Conversation between a doctor and a patient about joint pain

Patient: Good morning, doctor.

Doctor: Good morning, please come in.

Patient: I’ve been having some pain in my joints recently, especially the knees.

Doctor: How long have you had the pain?

Patient: I’d say it started three to four months ago. It has been getting worse recently.

Doctor: Are you having any other problems like weakness, fatigue or headaches?

Patient: Well, I have certainly felt under the weather.

Doctor: Right. How much physical activity do you get? Do you play sports?

Patient: Some. I like to play tennis about once a week. Other than that, I take my dog on a walk every morning.

Doctor: I understand. Let’s have a look. Please point to the area where you have the pain.

(patient points at his knees)

Patient: It hurts right here.

Doctor: Please stand up and put your weight on your knees.

(doctor touches the spot)

Doctor: Does this hurt?

Patient: Yes, it hurts a lot.

Doctor: It seems you have some inflammation in your knees. However, I cannot feel anything broken.

Patient: That’s a relief!

Doctor: I will prescribe you some ibuprofen. Suppose you don’t find that it in the shop, get aspirin instead. The swelling should go down, and you will feel much better. Visit me after two weeks if the pain remains.

Patient: Thank you so much, doctor. I will get the medicines at once.

6. Conversation between a doctor, patient and an attendant about breast cancer

Doctor: Good afternoon, please come in and make yourself comfortable. How may I help you?

Attendant: Good afternoon, doctor. This is my mother, and she has noticed and abnormality her breasts recently.

Doctor: It’s okay. Tell me about it. Is it a lump or did you notice any change in the consistency of the breast tissues?

Patient: Doctor, I have felt a thickening which is like a lump near my underarm area. I am terrified and suspect that it is breast cancer.

Doctor: Don’t be terrified. Lumps or thickening are indeed a sign of this disease, but they are always not the symptom. Did anyone in your family ever have breast cancer?

Patient: No doctor, but why does that matter?

Doctor: The risk of breast cancer is higher if your father, mother, sister, or daughter ever had the disease. The risk is even higher if your family member had breast cancer before the age of fifty. If no one in your family had this cancer, then there is a chance you don’t either.

Attendant: That gives us a little bit of relief. We are ready to go through everything available to make this disease go away.

Doctor: Of course. Let me ask you a few questions before we proceed. Do you do any kind of physical activity or consume alcohol at all?

Patient: I walk to the market every day, and that is it. I also have never consumed alcohol, doctor.

Doctor: That sounds good. Did you ever get radiation therapy done to your chest?

Patient: No, doctor, I never have.

Doctor: Okay. I can see that you are relatively fit according to your age, so that seems like a good sign as well. However, we will carry out all the tests required to confirm.

Attendant: What are the tests needed, doctor?

Doctor: The first thing you have to do is a Mammogram. It will take an X-ray picture of the tissues inside your breast, and it will show any lump that you cannot feel if they exist. If lumps are found then further tests have to be conducted.

Patient: I am a little scared. Can you tell me what other tests?

Doctor: If an abnormal area is found after a mammogram, you will further need to get an ultrasound done. The lumps can also be solid, filled with fluid. They are called cysts and are usually not cancer. After that, you might need to perform a biopsy as it is the only way to tell for sure if cancer is present.

Attendant: Alright doctor, so we have to get a mammogram done, I suppose.

Doctor: Yes, get a mammogram done and bring me the reports. We will immediately begin the rest of the procedures after that.

Patient: Thank you so much, doctor!

Attended: Thank you.

Has this ever occurred to you? You’ve been studying hard for your Physics midterm exam, but while you walk into your exam hall, your mind goes void. As you sit down and the exam commences, do you observe sweaty palms and a pit in your stomach?

If these test anxiety signs seem familiar, then your test scores and grades may not reveal your true capabilities.

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What is Test Anxiety?

A psychological condition where people encounter extreme stress and fear in testing situations is known as Test Anxiety. While most people encounter some degree of anxiety and stress before or during the exams, test anxiety can actually undermine learning and hurt test performance.

While people have the abilities and experience to do very well in these conditions, their extreme anxiety diminishes their performance. The hardness of test anxiety can differ considerably from one character to another. Some people might be nervous or may encounter confusion while others might find it challenging to concentrate on the exam.

Signs of Test Anxiety

• Physical Signs: Nausea, Diarrhea, Headache, extreme sweating, fast heartbeat, shortness of breathing, and dizziness. Test anxiety can start a panic attack, which is the sudden rush of intense fear or distress in which people may feel like they are unable to breathe or are having a heart attack.
• Emotional signs: Emotions of violence, fear, failure, and frustration are common emotional responses to test anxiety.
• Behavioral or Cognitive signs: Trouble in focusing, thinking negatively and Negative Self Talk are common symptoms of test anxiety.

Test anxiety Causes

• Fear of failure: While the stress of performing well on an exam can be stimulating, it can be damaging to our self worth if we correlate the test’s grade with our value.
• Poor examination history: Failing on the prior exam can make you concerned for the next exam. It is essential to remember to stay focused. Do not dwell on the past.
• Stress: If we expect a particular rank to pass the class, it could increase our test anxiety.
• Perfectionism: Perfectionism has remarkably high-performance expectations. Research studies reveal that students who have a need for perfectionism and extraordinary self-criticism manage to have high test anxiety and perform poorly on exams.

Ideas to overcome Test Anxiety

Just as most speakers who get up on the stage feel apprehensive before an important talk, a bit of stress is plausibly good too, as it gets your adrenaline running, makes you wide-awake for the big event.

But, sadly, not everyone can keep it in check, and that’s when it starts affecting our performance.

This brings us to the inquest: How to manage test-anxiety?

Here is a list of some important ideas which will help you to overcome the Test Anxiety:

• Study Efficiently: Develop good study habits. Use different techniques to study. Practice excessively using sample papers and study at least one or two weeks prior to the exam, in shorter accretions of time and over a few days rather studying a day before the exam.
• Make a routine: Discover what works for you, and follow the same pattern each time you start taking a test. This will reduce your anxiety level and help you to be confident to ensure that you’re well-prepared for the test.
• Learn to relax: One can stay calm and confident before and during the test. One can perform relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, relaxing your muscles one at a time, or closing your eyes, meditating and visualising a positive outcome.
• Don’t forget to eat and drink: Our brain requires fuel to operate. Have good food and drink plenty of water before the exam. Avoid sugary beverages such as soda drink, which can induce your blood sugar to peak and then drop; one should also avoid caffeinated drinks such as coffee or energy drinks, which can aggravate stress.
• Exercise Regularly: Regular exercises can help one to release tension and stress. Swimming, Running, Brisk walking, Dancing, Aerobic exercise are some of the activities that will benefit students. Exercising on the day of the exam day can also help to release anxiety and stress.
• Sleep Properly: Sleep is undeviatingly related to educational performance. Preteens and teenagers particularly require regular, uninterrupted sleep. Adults also require a good night’s sleep for optimal work completion.
• Read and write: Never stop at reading–write down whatever you learn. With the help of writing, you can engage in effective learning, which can develop your memory and knowledge. Try creating flashcards, writing summaries of chapters, or forming an outline of the material. This will help you in memorising, and as a bonus, you can refer later to what you’ve written to review the material quickly before the exam.
• Check if you have a learning disability: Test anxiety may develop by directing an underlying situation that intervenes with the capacity to focus, learn or concentrate — for example, ADHD (attention-deficit or hyperactivity disorder or dyslexia). In most cases, a student diagnosed with a disability is authorised to support with test-taking, such as additional time to perform a test, giving exam in a less distracting room or reading questions loudly.
• Consult an expert or a counsellor, if necessary: Talk to a therapist or a psychologist who can help you manage through your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that induce or worsen anxiety or stress.

Conclusion

Approaching your studying seriously, but thinking of the test as a game can actually help. Your goal is to accumulate as many points as you can in the available time. Do not obsess about a complicated or difficult problem. If you’re doubtful of the answer, figure it later and move on. Remind yourself that you can abstain one question and still do well in the exam. Therefore, one should be confident and also stay away from stress to overcome test anxiety.